Phew! Another month has flown by which means another challenge.

This month of May is all about simplifying your life and eliminating those aspects of it that cause us stress and that we deem to be important and necessary but really aren’t.

1. For every ONE thing that you buy, get rid of TWO things from your house (excluding food items). We all love to reward ourselves with little gifts every now and then. But after a while, these gifts/impulse buys/purchases all begin to pile up whether it be in that forgotten closet, corner, drawer or on the floor. The more items you expel from your life, the more comfortable you will be. Get in the habit of every time you buy a personal item to throw out or donate TWO other items you no longer use. The beauty cupboard is a great place to start (especially if you have some unsafe or animal tested brands lying around) and the closet.

2. Add at least $20 to your petty savings jar. That’s only $5 per week which is barely even two bought coffees. Every little bit counts.

3. Donate something other than money. To pay it forward this month, choose to either donate clothes, food or your time to a local charity. Filling a bag with worn out and unused clothing and putting it into a donating bin is so easy. Too easy, in fact, that there are no excuses for not doing it. Another option is dropping off cans and other food items to your nearest food bank to help out the poor and the homeless. Otherwise, for the truly big hearted, dedicate a couple of hours one weekend to working at a soup kitchen or a food bank to help those in need.

4. Write a postcard to a loved one overseas. In the vein of simplifying, the simple act of mailing a postcard to a long lost friend or relative overseas or out of state can be a very beautiful gesture that only costs a couple of dollars to do. Keep it short and meaningful and it will be well received.

5. Do ONE 60 minute meditation session. We know- That’s a big jump from last month. But here is your big goal for this month. Set aside one hour out of the whole month to do a 60 minute straight meditation session. That means no talking, no texting, no checking your email, no moving for one whole hour. Make sure to find a secluded location (preferably outdoors) so you are not disturbed or hyperaware of your surroundings. Sit there for one complete hour (you can have a time set on your phone, if you wish, but make sure to keep your attention off of it). If thoughts come, try to focus on contemplating this thought: ‘In what ways could I simplify my life?’ If your thoughts stray from this, then do your best to keep your attention on your breath as usual.

We hope that you guys are enjoying these challenges. Even if you don’t do all of them, it’s always great to attempt some ideas that you would otherwise not try.

Happy simplifying, ladies!

photo credit: AMELIA SPEED

The time has come to get your happy ready for April. Are you up for the challenge?

1. Go out of your way to help a stranger – In this face paced world, we often witness moments where we see someone requiring assistance but often let up the opportunity to help them as we’re late for something, don’t feel we should help them or even forget that we can help them. This month, find a situation where you have to go out of your way to help a stranger whether it be pulling over to help if you see someone’s car broken down, carrying an elderly persons shopping bags to the car or pushing their trolley, buying a coffee and muffin for a homeless person, volunteering somewhere etc etc.

2. Add 5 more things to your Happy List. For those who don’t know what this is, it is a list of situations, items, smells, activities or any other kind of thing that brings you joy in life away from a computer screen, TV screen or smart phone screen. It’s also helpful to read back over your previous entries and remind yourself of what makes you happy.

3. 5 minutes of meditation 5 times per week OR 10 minutes of meditation 3 times per week. We’re pushing the boundaries on this and moving up your meditation duration from last month. It’s time to allow yourself even more time to yourself to do absolutely nothing but sit and flow with the rhythm of your breath.

4. Start a petty savings jar. I know this will be a particularly challenging one due to varying money situations but sometimes, us ladies need a little something for ourselves. It’s time to have a little savings jar of your own. Feel free to make it a goal jar that will save up for maybe a massage, a manicure or a new little black dress you’ve been eyeing. Either way, gather your loose change from the bottom of your purse or under your car carpets and add it to this jar. Over time, when it feels heavy enough, dedicate that loose change to purchasing something entirely for yourself.

5. Find your inner yogi. Finally, I challenge you this month to either attend one yoga class at your local gym or studio OR find a Youtube yoga video of at least 30 minute duration and get your yoga on. Yoga is proven to alleviate symptoms of depression and make you feel more vibrant and joyous. If you already go to yoga classes, then this will be easy!

Good luck!

In review of last month: How did last month treat you? Did you find yourself denying yourself time to be happy because their were more important things? Was it hard to find items for your happy list? Leave us a comment and let us know your struggles and your highs from the tasks.

Happiness can be a rare thing to come across in this society of stress and sadness. It can be hard to take a minute to yourself to center yourself, find yourself and just let it all go for a little bit in amongst our busy lives and responsibilities. That’s why I present to you a monthly Happiness Guide consisting of 5 challenges that may help you rediscover that joy in life that you so deserve to feel.

1. Take an in-home holiday for 2 hours to 2 days. Taking a break off work is not always feasible for all of us due to limits with time, money and responsibilities. Another way of getting all the refreshment that comes from a holiday is to clear your schedule for an hour, a day or a weekend – whatever you can do. Send the kids to a friends house or away with the husband, push any meetings or girls nights out to next week and allow yourself YOU time. This can mean buying a bottle of red, your favorite cheese and fashion mag and watching your favorite chick flick. It could mean taking a long bath, having an at-home facial, ordering take-out – Whatever! Just LET yourself have that time as though it were a work meeting or other important event that you would feel obligated to attend. Meditate, regenerate and regroup. You and your loved ones will be thankful.

2. Make and add 5 things to your Happy List. I have only recently started doing this but what started as a list of only 10 things has grown into quite a lengthy document. A Happy List is a list (duh) of all the things in this world that bring you joy, contentment and happiness away from a TV, smart phone or the internet. This can include hobbies that you love, hobbies that you miss doing, exercise, playing with your kids, writing, baking, rainy days, smelling flowers, getting manicures – Whether it be an activity, an object, a season, it doesn’t matter because anything that you like belongs on this list. When you feel down or like something’s missing, refer to this list and think of all the things in life that you know bring you joy. If you feel like it, perform some of the activities on it, go buy a bunch of roses (if you like them). Keep this list in a private place and add to it when you realize something brings you happiness.

3. Music Wind-Down for 15 Minutes. For just 15 minutes somewhere in the month, I challenge you to put on some headphones, put your feet up on the couch and just zone out to some good music (Note: Not the radio). Don’t do anything else during this time, just smile, tune out, breathe and listen.

4. 5 Minutes of Meditation for 3 times a week. I will always stand by the idea that people who meditate are happier people. Letting go for that time in such a fast paced world can be hard to get used to but it reconnects us with what’s important. Give yourself that 5 minutes, even if it means running to hide in the bathroom so you aren’t disturbed! In those 5 minutes, breathe in through your nose for 4 counts and out your nose for 4 counts making sure to inhale with your diaphragm (i.e. your stomach should be moving in and out). Bring attention to your breath and the counts and keep as disconnected and unattentive to your thoughts as you can.

5. Have a private chuckling session. Now, this one can be a little embarrassing at first but bear with me. Whenever you are alone, force yourself to laugh like a crazy person and let it all go. It is going to feel very weird but you’ll get used to it. Why should you do this? Well, if you’re not one to really let go and express yourself on a day to day basis then there’s a lot of welled up laughter in there waiting to be set free. One you practice doing this on your own, I guarantee you that you will start laughing genuinely far more. Laughter boosts endorphins and all your other happy hormones plus it tightens your stomach muscles. What’s not to like about that?

So, there lay your challenges. Should you want to attempt one or all of them, then that’s great and let us know how you get on. Happiness is the best gift to bring to someone but sometimes you need to bring it to yourself first to give you the energy to pay it forward.

A happy March to all of you!

I made this the title of the post as I knew it would draw you all in. Now that you’re here, however, I must tell you that within this post you will not find an instant cure to making you look like a twenty year old again. Rather, you will find out how to look the best YOU that you can be, and trust me when I say that that YOU will be more beautiful than any plastic surgeon can create.

Image via Ultimatecleanse.ws

Here are your guidelines:

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Make sure to drink at least 1 to 2 litres per day of distilled or mineral water. This will keep the skin looking young and supple as well as the myriad of other benefits that water provides.

Wear sunscreen. We all know the song but it does serve some truth. Wear that sunscreen everyday, even in winter. This will slow down signs of aging, protect from dangerous skin damage that can cause melanoma and will also keep the skin moisturized.

Go organic, don’t panic. What women tend to skip over is the fact that their skin is not a barrier but, rather, an organ that absorbs whatever is put on it. Instead, opt for natural and organic products that aid your body rather than pumping unnecessary toxins into your bloodstream that will only fatigue your body. Many non-organic products on the market are also proving to cause far more serious issues than the companies would have you believe.

Eat happy and healthily. Opt for organic vegetables, colorful fruits and fresh, free range meats. The shorter the shelf life, usually, the better it is for you. So, avoid those middle supermarket aisles as much as possible and stick to the fresh areas. Changing your diet from mostly processed foods to mostly fresh foods will dramatically change your overall appearance; Your skin will be more radiant, your eyes more white and bright and your hair and nails, stronger.

Exercise. I know, I know, you’re all saying ‘well, duh’ but really. Make a habit of getting out with the dog, the kids or the hubby and going out for an evening stroll, having a game of tennis, going bowling, ice skating, WHATEVER. Just make sure to move at least 30 minutes everyday outside of your usual activities. This, like your diet, will start to show on the outside as well as help elevate your overall mood.

Breathe. We do it unconsciously day in, day out but many of us forget to notice how important it is. So, when you have 5 minutes spare just sit or lie down. Relax and spend time focusing on the natural rise and fall of your breath. Don’t force it, just let life breathe you as it does throughout the day but give it the attention it deserves for just this moment each day. Any thoughts that cross your mind, let them fly by and bring attention back to the breath. In perfoming this daily, you will start to notice drastic changes in your mood and other areas of your life. Lengthen the duration as you feel necessary.

And that’s it. That’s the magic formula. There’s no special cream, injection, expensive spa treatment or any other fad product that can get you the results that the above things can. Treat your body right and it will treat you the same in return. Don’t resort to the ‘quick fix’ because it will only cause further problems in the future.

Make a list and do all of the above suggestions every day for just 2 weeks and you WILL notice a drastic positive difference in your life.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Lara